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a citrus brined roast turkey on a platter in a wide horizontal shot, golden skin surrounded by roasted orange and lemon halves, fresh herbs and pine garnish, bright warm light, shallow depth of field, landscape orientation

Citrus Brined Turkey Delight

A turkey soaked in a fragrant orange-and-lemon brine before roasting.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole turkey 12 lb
  • 1 cup kosher salt
  • 0.5 cup sugar
  • 2 oranges sliced
  • 2 lemons sliced
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 gallon water

Method
 

  1. Dissolve the salt and sugar in the water, then add the citrus slices and bay leaves.
  2. Submerge the turkey in the brine and refrigerate overnight, about 12 hours.
  3. Remove the turkey, rinse, and pat it very dry.
  4. Roast at 325F until a thermometer reads 165F in the thigh, about three hours.
  5. Rest the turkey 20 minutes before carving.

Notes

Pat the brined turkey extra dry before roasting so the skin can crisp instead of steam.